Goodbye, my Perfect Muse!

December 1 2009 -Today, my muse, Tabu, joined the spirit world. He was 15 years old, 12 of which he spent with our family. The first three years of his life were not the best based on the condition he was in when we picked him up in a house where he had been abandoned. We did not want a cat at that time. We had recently said goodbye to Minou, our 16 year old tabby. But my resolve dissipated during the four hour drive to our house with Tabu sitting on my lap as I drove . I had always wanted a cat that would sit on my lap...and that is where you could find Tabu every evening for the past 12 years.

We learned a lot from this little cat...The most important thing is that quiet time is good. When my husband and I would get too loud, which I dare say we often do, he would let us know in no uncertain way that this was not acceptable. And while we 'd be running around doing this and doing that, Tabu would be seeking out the sunniest spot in the house and there he would bask in the warm rays. He gave us so much but he also required a lot of love and attention, both of which we happily gave him. Now I can't imagine no longer seeing his pretty little face.

He will be missed!

Goodbye, my good little boy!

Goodbye, my perfect Muse!

(Below is a repost of February 4th 2009)

Tabu-My Muse

Tabu - aka My Muse

As a multidisciplinary visual artist, I tend to be all over the map when it comes to creative projects. I realize this makes it difficult to perfect any one process and yet I can't seem to help myself. More over, I strongly feel that artistic creativity does not limit itself to art. Everyday I consciously choose to live my own creation. I do this in keeping with the philosophy that each one of us is an artist and each one of us is a work of art in progress.

That being said, whether I'm painting a canvas in my studio or a wall in my house, whether I'm mixing paint or making a recipe, whether I'm photographing my muse, Tabu, or petting him, I am creating. I can never separate the person from the artist. Maybe that's not a bad thing, but I must confess, sometimes my mind is screaming for focus. It just feels like so many ideas, so many projects and so little time!

I look at my cat sometimes and see he has but one focus, his own comfort. Sometimes, I look at him as he sleeps and I envy him. Other times I think "Wake up, Tabu...You're sleeping your life away! You're missing all the good stuff." As for Tabu, he's not thinking at all. He just IS!

One of my Tabu projects-an old fashioned block puzzle.

Tabu pictured on a wine label for a wine we make.

Translated it reads Sleeping Cat.

Even a muse must earn his keep!

Sleep well, Beautiful Tabu!